Veiws on oilies

[Guest]

My aged oilies are getting a little tatty, like their owner. I am trying to make my mind up what to replace them with. I have been told and read that breathable is the way to go and I'm now convinced. Does anyone have any veiws on whether budget ones (compass etc) are worth buying or should I go for something like HH. Also I was told that Musto brought out a lower price MPX (3?) then withdrew it, is this true? and why? Last thought, does anyone know a good discount place to buy?
Thanks in advance,
AGF
Granville France

 

[Robin]

We previously had ultra expensive heavy weather gear designed for the Southern Ocean in winter but found in reality it was totally unsuited to our sailing. It was heavy (especially with built in harness), much too hot in a summer rain, and if wet took hours to dry with furry collars and pockets, as a result it developed mildew which then spread nicely throughout the wet locker. We then bought a 2nd cheap set of light gear for rain without cold and stormy weather and these were the only ones we ever used. When we came to replace these last year we went back to basics in the form of PVC on nylon gear from Guy Cotten, 100% waterproof, cheap and with no furry bits. they can be hosed down to remove salt and after a quick shake plus 10 minutes hung out to dry can be put away. We found no real difference in condensation over the expensive stuff and saved a small fortune whist staying just as warm and dry. We bought ours from the Guy Cotten factory shop in Concarneau, in smart white, cost less than £100 for jacket + chest high trousers, they are also on sale in all the Cooperative Maritime stores in most French ports. I think we are being brainwashed into buying gear we really don't need unless we sail in mid winter or really are taking on the Southern Ocean, maybe the KISS priciple is a good idea.

 

[JeremyF]

You missed the best place to buy - LIBS.

After sweating away in a non-breathable Gill, I decided that it was a time for something breathable. Looked at the cheap Compass breathable, but despite its Best Buy status form Sailing Today, didn't buy as it is incredibly thin and lightweight.
In the end got something from Musto - last year's colour so down from £400 to £200.
I would strongly advise against mail order - you really need to feel the quality and check the fit.


Jeremy Flynn

www.yacht-goldeneye.co.uk
New pics 11.02.02

 

[Stemar]

I had a set of the Compass cheapy breathables (£159 for the set). They were OK, though the hood wasn't much good, but mine were made from a faulty barch of material and died when I washed them. Compass offerered me a replacement or refund, but I decided to upgrade to their "professional" set (about £160).

I've only used them once, last weekend, in near perfect, if chilly, weather. First impressions are that they seem to be a much better bit of kit, though quite a bit heavier.

Hope this helps

 

[Twister_Ken]

I'm please with my current Henris. Anaconda - which is lightweight (sorry coastal) but breathing. Cf with previous Musto Offshore non-breath condensation much reduced. Approx £100 for Anaconda jkt and £80 for hi-fit trews if you shop around.

 

[Guest]

I bought a set of Helly Hansen Voyager Waterproof, two seasons ago, £190, breathable. They have been very good. they are still selling them, they are also not too baggy, so they don't tend to get caught up at crucial moments. plus they are pretty hard wearing.

 

[seaesta]

You can't beat rubber (as the actress said to the bishop). I have had expensive gear and cheap gear and think the best solution is
1. two old pairs of trainers
2. good thermals
3. cheap high level baggy cotton rubber overtrousers (unbranded fishermans gear)
4. good quality jacket with a really good collar and harness
5. Tilley hat/ balaclava/hood

The trainers are warm and comfy. In extreme rain they can fill up - bit this is better than orrible wellies - change to the other pair when it gets dry
The baggy rubber/cotton overtrousers are completely waterproof and ventilate themselves (rather than "breathing" which seems to be a theoretical feature)
You cannot beat a balaclava when you are out single handed on the North Sea but these are not practical on crewed boats because the crew get hysterical about what a silly bug*er the skipper looks.

Martin of Seaesta of Whitby

 

[Guest]

What kind of sailing do you do? What kind of conditions do you intend to subject your new oilies (and their contents) to? Not sure if my well-meaning advice is worth posting until I know what you want them for...

 

[LadyInBed]

They don’t seem to make them for the short fat and not very hairy profile.
I have two sets, an ex navy set of wet weather gear for when its warm and wet.
I had to chop a foot or so off the legs, but used it to make a bib and bracers, very comfortable.
The other set is a cheap (£80 Trago Mills) heavy duty all-in-one sold to beach fisherman. Built in buoyancy, big brushed nylon collar and detachable hood. Great in the winter wet. I had to chop a foot or so off the legs of these as well (eXtra Large) so I do have plenty of room around the crutch (not that I am boasting).

Someone mentioned using trainers as footwear. I have found my wetsuit boots to be the most comfortable footwear they are nonslip and warm as well.
Oh! I have a wetsuit onboard as well for when all else fails.

 

[PeterGibbs]

If you are in the Med or similar warmer latitudes spend the money and buy a top of the range jacket (only) - you need it to stay dry when it rains. We are talking serious money for significant benefit - Gortex - shop around for discounts - I would not accept lesss than 25% off list.
Many other materials claim mositure transfer of one kind or another: none comes up to the Gortex standard (worst luck)

For UK and local waters a good material from a known make is all you need - much more important is that the seams are properly sealed, the collar is high and fastens round the head to keep the weather at bay, and the hood is continuous so as to prevent water running down the kneck. Cuffs must be closeable with velcro etc to keep out rain, and the waist must have a good means of securing against the wind. The Musto offshore is a very good buy, but there are others.

I use mountaineering trousers - they are a better and cheaper bet and not so stiff when wet. And much easier to put on!

If you go for a boyscout jacket you will stand there with your shirt getting wetter and wetter in the rain - and there will be many readers of these columns who can (when they chose to) remember this exquisite sensation!

PWG

 

[stretch33]

Don't know about the short / fat at least you can trim a bit off if there to long. My problem is the opposite - all the oily trousers l,ve tried only come to my shins. It would seem all the makers think that people over 6' must have bodies some where close to that in width. In a good wind l dont need a sail up, l just don the gear and away we go !

 

[kingfisher]

There is no such thing as bad weather for sailing

Only bad clothing.

Getting the right gear will extend your sailing season considerably.

Trousers: buy cheap, you only wear them 10% of the time
Jacket: I have the HL off-shore gore-tex version (500€, 30% off price) and a lighter coastal non-goretx version. Both have their uses (offshore is too heavy for summersail, but worth every euro in the cold april and november rain).

Things I went for:
Large flap on hood to keep my glasses out of the rain
Hand pockets at chest hight. If they are at hip hight, water runs from the sleeves into the pocket, at chest hight, it dribbles of elbows.
Inside pocket for stuff that mus be kept dry (mobile, wallet)
Tightening cord at waste or bottom hem, to keep the cold out.

Obi-Wan
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Guest]

Perhaps the two of you could do a deal on the extra foot or so of spare waterproof off each leg... The fun really starts when you try to buy kit for short women!

 

[Guest]

Unfortunatley this is one of my problems. During the summer (March to October) I sail my Etap 22, which involves launching and recovering, normally in the rain. I the winter I normally crew one of the yacht club boats in the autumm and spring racing series. Summer sailing is normally a relaxed sail from one restaurant to another, with the odd trip to Jersey for a good beer. Winter sails are hectic races with French sailors who don't understand things like reefing! 14+ knots, surfing under spinnaker is a great way to both improve your sailing skills and work up a great sweat.
AGF